Microvascular invasion in hepatocellular carcinoma: is it predictable with a new, preoperative application of diffusion-weighted imaging?

Clin Imaging. 2017 Jan-Feb:41:101-105. doi: 10.1016/j.clinimag.2016.10.004. Epub 2016 Oct 17.

Abstract

Purpose: The study aimed to explore the use of MRI in predicting the microvascular invasion (MVI) of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Materials and methods: The preoperative MRI and tissues of resected HCC patients were collected. The imaging characteristics that have previously been suggested and the mismatch between diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and T2-weighted imaging of regions, which the authors called DWI/T2 mismatch, were analyzed and compared with histopathological references.

Results: A multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that DWI/T2 mismatch was an independent predictor of MVI.

Conclusion: The DWI/T2 mismatch can be a preoperative predictor of MVI for HCC.

Keywords: Diffusion-weighted MRI; Hepatocellular carcinoma; Magnetic resonance imaging; Microvascular invasion.

MeSH terms

  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / blood supply
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / diagnostic imaging*
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / pathology*
  • Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Liver Neoplasms / blood supply
  • Liver Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
  • Liver Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Male
  • Microvessels / diagnostic imaging*
  • Microvessels / pathology
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Preoperative Care / methods
  • Retrospective Studies